Adjustable optical attenuator using S-type wave-guide and method thereof

Abstract

An adjustable optical attenuator using S-type wave-guide comprises a cladding layer having a first refraction index and forming a slot therein; and a core layer embedded in the slot of the cladding layer and having a second refraction index sensitive to temperature change, wherein light is transmitted through the core layer, and light attenuation varies according to the temperature of the core layer.

1 . A S-type wave-guide adjustable optical attenuator, comprising: 
 a cladding layer, having a first refraction index and forming a slot therein; and    a core layer, embedded in the slot of the cladding layer and having a second refraction index sensitive to temperature change, wherein the attenuation of an optical signal transmitted through the core layer varies according to the temperature of the core layer.    
   
   
       2 . The optical attenuator of  claim 1 , wherein the core layer is made of a polymer material.  
   
   
       3 . The optical attenuator of  claim 1 , wherein the cladding layer is made of a glass material.  
   
   
       4 . The optical attenuator of  claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of the core layer further includes an electrode layer thereon.  
   
   
       5 . The optical attenuator of  claim 4 , further comprising a buffer layer between the electrode layer and the core layer.  
   
   
       6 . The optical attenuator of  claim 5 , wherein the buffer layer is made of silicon dioxide.  
   
   
       7 . The optical attenuator of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature controller operable to vary the temperature of the core layer.  
   
   
       8 . The optical attenuator of  claim 7 , wherein the temperature controller further comprises a heater operable to vary the temperature of the core layer.  
   
   
       9 . The optical attenuator of  claim 7 , wherein the temperature controller further comprises a cooling device operable to vary the temperature of the core layer.  
   
   
       10 . An optical attenuating method using an S-type wave-guide, comprising: 
 transmitting an optical signal through an optical attenuator, wherein the optical attenuator includes a cladding layer and a core layer made of a polymer material and embedded in a slot of the cladding layer, the core layer having a temperature-sensitive refraction index; and    controlling the temperature of the core layer to attenuate the intensity of the optical signal.